Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Covering chapters 40 through 46, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs. This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters develop and interact Explore a character’s psychological state Isolate a true statement about plot from a series of false statements Analyze the author’s craft Explore cause-and-effect relationships Explain how a character’s personal history influences their present behavior Discern the tone of a remark in context Articulate the significance of a given detail Explore character motivations Apply knowledge of literary devices including ambiguity and anaphora Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings Write about literature with clarity and precision Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims

Promote homework accountability and measure general reading comprehension with this quiz covering Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Specifically, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The purpose of a chorus A character known as a peace-maker The reason for street-fighting in Verona Prince Escalus’s declaration Romeo’s cause for sadness Lord Capulet’s attitude toward marrying off Juliet Benvolio’s encouragement (to Romeo) Juliet’s attitude toward marriage Mercutio’s treatment of Romeo A foreshadowing fear Tybalt’s temperament Lord Capulet’s reaction to Romeo’s presence at the party The revelation of Juliet’s true identity

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 1, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of figurative language as it is used in the text Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Contrast two characters (Beatrice and Hero) Determine the function of an interaction between characters (Don John and Claudio) Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, pun, metaphor, situational irony, symbolism, and more Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Liam O’Flaherty’s short story “The Sniper.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: ascetic, beleaguer, dart, gibber, mutter, parapet, paroxysm, reckless, recoil, remorse, ruse, and turret. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 4, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Explain the intended effect of figurative language in context Define complex words and phrases in context Determine the function of the scene Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast the murders of Lady Macduff and her son to previous homicides Compare and contrast the characters of Lady Macduff and Lady Macbeth Apply knowledge of literary devices such as simile, paradox, invective, and hyperbole Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast the speeches of Brutus and Antony with emphasis on content, language, rhetorical skills, and audience engagement Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony and verbal irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 4, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given excerpt Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast the characters of Antony and Brutus Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 4 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Consider the greater significance of given details Discern the primary function of a particular journal entry Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on epiphany, situational irony, personification, alliteration, and diacope Conduct brief research on gypsies in order to to explain why Harker believes they may be helpful to him Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 1 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques with emphasis on how setting influences mood Determine the function of a given paragraph Consider the greater significance of given details Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on foreshadowing and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 1, of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. With this close reading activity, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of punctuation in context Discern tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and promote the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous questions to complement Act 1, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Isolate details that represent the best textual evidence in support of claims Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, hyperbole, and sibilance Determine the function of a given excerpt

Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 4, scene 1, of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Discern the intended effect of Shakespearean language in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Discern the tone of a given passage Apply knowledge of literary devices including verbal irony, sibilance, personification, consonance, and inversion Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Othello. Focusing on Act 3, scene 4, this resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Explore character motivations Discern the tone of a given excerpt Make logical inferences in context Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Paraphrase Shakespearean language Isolate a falsehood from factual statements about plot Articulate the significance of a given detail Write with clarity and precision

This assessment measures general reading comprehension, gathers formative data to inform instructional planning, and holds students accountable for the assigned reading of King Lear by Shakespeare (Act 3). An answer key is included. The material is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following relevant details: Character motivations (King of France) The application of metaphor in the text Analysis of King Lear as a dynamic character and articulating relevant textual evidence A character’s treasonous actions Significant details about Gloucester King Lear’s epiphany regarding his treatment of struggling subjects Edgar’s deceptive behavior The application of dramatic irony in the text Edmund as the new Earl of Gloucester Displays of King Lear’s mental decline Regan’s display of disrespect toward Gloucester Cornwall’s cruel and violent acts Cornwall’s injury

Extend comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this worksheet composed of analytical questions on chapters 1 through 3 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. With this resource, teachers can save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain chapters are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. More specifically, students will be able to: Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly Write with clarity, logic, and precision Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims Explore character motivations Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, allusion, and personification Articulate the author’s intended effect of figurative language Discern the primary function of chapters one through three Examine relationships between complex characters Articulate Victor Frankenstein’s epiphany in a given passage Analyze the importance of Victor’s epiphany Articulate cause-and-effect relationships Make logical inferences about character modes of thinking Analyze how a given paragraph contributes to character development

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello. With a focus on Act 4, scene 3, this resource saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing academic rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents. This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking. More specifically, students will be able to: Articulate what the text says explicitly and implicitly Write with clarity and precision Cite specific, relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea Discern the tone of a given excerpt Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, alliteration, sibilance, personification, foreshadowing, and paradox Articulate character motivations Compare two characters Articulate the significance of dialogue Analyze what dialogue reveals about a character’s psychological state Consider how the imagery of a willow tree is relevant to the content of Desdemona’s song Make logical inferences from the point of view of a particular character

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello. With a focus on Act 5, scene 2, this resource saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing academic rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents. This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking. By completing this exercise, students will: Articulate what the text says explicitly and implicitly Write with clarity and precision Cite specific, relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea Articulate what Othello’s dialogue reflects about his psychological state Articulate how Othello rationalizes his decision to murder Desdemona Apply knowledge of literary devices including internal conflict, allusion, epiphany, assonance, and double denotation Articulate how Desdemona is different from a candle, according to Othello Analyze the text to discern how Othello demonstrates some degree of mercy on Desdemona Define complex words or phrases in context Verify interpretations using reference materials including a dictionary or thesaurus

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet. With a focus on Act 5, scene 1, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents. This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking. More specifically, students will be able to: Articulate what the text says explicitly and implicitly Consider author’s intent and articulate why Shakespeare may have chosen to begin this scene in a graveyard Analyze characterization to discern the gravedigger’s primary function(s) Discern the tone of a given excerpt Consider how aristocratic class privileges influence plot development Describe Hamlet’s reaction to the gravedigger’s singing, as well as the reason for his reaction Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, hyperbole, allusion, alliteration, dramatic irony, situational irony, and more Characterize Hamlet’s relationship with Yorick Articulate how Hamlet’s lack of emotional or psychological control is manifested physically Make logical inferences from the point of view of Hamlet Demonstrate knowledge of Claudius’s mindset Write with clarity and precision